Klarinet Archive - Posting 000500.txt from 2000/10

From: rgarrett@-----.edu
Subj: Re: [kl] Mouthpieces (Was: Changes to Elite and other Buffets)
Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 08:38:21 -0400

At 01:25 PM 10/10/2000 +0100, you wrote:
>I would like to know the (or an?) answer to this, too. Surely, though,
>paper is a bad analogue for a reed? For one thing, it is conspicuously
>difficult to wet paper uniformly, and how it dries depends on tiny
>fluctuations in air currents. I should think the same applies to the
>softwood,
>largely.
>Yours,
>Roger S.

It's a good question isn't it?

Paper is a wood product and dries very much the same as a reed - at least
the thin tip of a reed - which is a grass product - but still has
significant similarities to wood.

A thin piece of softwood dries in very much the same way as the thick part
of a reed will - for the same reasons above.

I doubt there is much fluctuation of air current inside a clarinet case
inside a reed case - at least not a significant amount by which the drying
process could be affected. In the analogy above, with paper or with a
1/16th inch or 1/8th piece of hardwood, the same can be said. In a
controlled situation - whereby the paper and wood are placed on a grooved
surface or glass in a room with no discernible air currents, the test would
be how they warped/wrinkled, etc.

Reeds dry unevenly - they have to - they are not uniform thickness
anywhere. This is why the tip is warped/wavy when it dries - it dries at a
varying rate. Is it a problem? No.......just soak it until the wave goes
away - and you have a reed that is ready for use.

The warpage on the back of the reed in the main body - the part that
contacts the table of the mouthpiece - is a different matter altogether.
If it warps (bulges) so that it rocks on a flat surface, it can be very
problematic. The warp can be removed (and should), but it is better if
preparation of the reed to begin with can avoid that problem. I have
better luck with removing warpage and warpage traits in the reed before
breaking the reed in than removing the warpage after the reed has been
broken in.

It's funny - but several students come in with warped reeds and, when I ask
them how they prepared the reed, many say that they just sanded once and
played on it. Others say they only sanded the back after the warp
happened. I haven't had many students come to lessons with reeds that warp
after they have followed a regimented preparation of the reed prior to
breaking it in. My break-in period lasts at least 10 days before a reed
can be used seriously in a performance, rehearsal, or solo recital.

Sincerely,
Roger Garrett

Roger Garrett
Professor of Clarinet
Director, Symphonic Winds
Advisor, IWU Recording Services
Illinois Wesleyan University
School of Music
Bloomington, IL 61702-2900
(309) 556-3268

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